Moveable platen in document handling systems for an automated teller machine

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods of the invention relate to reducing a number of jams that can occur in an automated teller machine with the employment of a moveable platen that increases a width of a channel for documents. A document analysis area can receive a document via a first transport path, wherein the document analysis area can include a channel in which the document travels to enable at least one scan component to capture an image of the document. The channel is created by one or more platen. The one or more platen can be movable to increase the width of the channel so as to allow documents to pass through the document analysis area without causing a jam or error for the automated teller machine.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/168,544 filed May 29, 2015, the disclosure ofwhich is expressly incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

This relates in general to systems for automated financial or commercialtransactions. One such system, for example, is the Automated BankingMachine, also known as the Automated Teller Machine or ATM.

Automated Teller Machines are commonly used to carry out a variety offinancial or commercial transactions. Most commonly, these transactionsinclude dispensing cash, checking account balances, paying bills and/orreceiving deposits from users. ATMs may also perform a variety of othertransactions, including the sale and purchase of tickets, issuance ofcoupons, check or voucher presentation, the printing of script and avariety of other functions.

In carrying out these transactions or performing these functions, avariety of documents may be moved through the Automated Teller Machine.In the process there is a likelihood that a jam, misfeed or other errormay occur in the conveyance of such documents. There is a desire todecrease the likelihood of such occurrences.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, an automated teller machine is provided. The automatedteller machine can include a cartridge that stores a document. Theautomated teller machine can further include a first document deliverysystem that transports the document from the cartridge to a documentanalysis area via a first transport path and a second document deliverysystem that transports the document from the document analysis area. Thedocument analysis area can include a cartridge side platen and a beltside platen opposite thereof positioned to create a channel for thedocument to travel through, the channel having an entrance and an exitopposite thereof, wherein the entrance has a width to receive thedocument. The document analysis area can further include a cartridgeside scan component partly incorporated into the cartridge side platenand a belt side scan component partly incorporated into the belt sideplaten. The cartridge side scan component is configured to capture animage of a first side of the document. The belt side scan component isconfigured to capture an image of a second side opposite the first sideof the document and the belt side platen configured to be movable toincrease the width of the entrance.

In an embodiment, an automated teller machine is provided. The automatedteller machine can include a cartridge that stores a document. Theautomated teller machine can include a first document delivery systemthat transports the document from the cartridge to a document analysisarea via a first transport path and a second document delivery systemthat transports the document from the document analysis area to a binvia a second transport path or an opening of the automated tellermachine via a third transport path. The document analysis area caninclude a cartridge side platen and a belt side platen opposite thereofpositioned to create a channel for the document to travel through, thechannel having an entrance and an exit opposite thereof, wherein theentrance has a width to receive the document. The document analysis areacan further include a cartridge side scan component partly incorporatedinto the cartridge side platen and a belt side scan component partlyincorporated into the belt side platen. The cartridge side scancomponent is configured to capture an image of a first side of thedocument. The belt side scan component is configured to capture an imageof a second side opposite the first side of the document and at leastone of the cartridge side platen or the belt side platen configured tobe movable to increase the width of the entrance.

In an embodiment, an automated teller machine is provided. The automatedteller machine can include a cartridge that stores a document. Theautomated teller machine can include a first document delivery systemthat transports the document from the cartridge to a document analysisarea via a first transport path. The automated teller machine caninclude a second document delivery system that transports the documentfrom the document analysis area to a bin via a second transport path oran opening of the automated teller machine via a third transport path.The document analysis area can include a cartridge side platen and abelt side platen opposite thereof positioned to create a channel for thedocument to travel through, the channel having an entrance and an exitopposite thereof, wherein the entrance has a width to receive thedocument. The document analysis area can further include a cartridgeside scan component partly incorporated into the cartridge side platenand a belt side scan component partly incorporated into the belt sideplaten. The cartridge side scan component can be configured to capturean image of a first side of the document. The belt side scan componentcan be configured to capture an image of a second side opposite thefirst side of the document. The document analysis area can furtherinclude a spring mechanism coupled to the belt side platen that providesresistance to maintain a first position for the width of the channel,wherein an increase in a thickness of the document applies a force tothe belt side platen, wherein the force moves the belt side platen to asecond position to increase the width of the channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which particularembodiments and further benefits of the invention are illustrated asdescribed in more detail in the description below, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an automated teller machine of anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of an automated teller machine of FIG. 1with a rollout tray extended;

FIG. 3 is a side schematic view of an automated teller machineillustrating various banking machine components;

FIG. 4 is a side schematic view of an automated teller machineillustrating various banking machine components;

FIG. 5 is a side schematic block diagram view of an automated tellermachine illustrating a document analysis area for an automated tellermachine;

FIG. 6 is a side schematic block diagram view of an automated tellermachine illustrating various banking machine components;

FIG. 7 is a side schematic block diagram view of a top portion of anautomated teller machine illustrating various banking machinecomponents;

FIG. 8A is a side schematic block diagram view of a document analysisarea of an automated teller machine;

FIG. 8B is a side schematic block diagram view of a document analysisarea of an automated teller machine;

FIG. 9 is a side schematic block diagram view of a document analysisarea of an automated teller machine;

FIG. 10 is a side schematic block diagram of a sequence of a documentpassing through a portion of a document analysis area of an automatedteller machine;

FIG. 11 is a side schematic block diagram of a sequence of a documentgetting jammed while attempting to travel through a portion of adocument analysis area of an automated teller machine;

FIG. 12 is a side schematic block diagram of a sequence of a documentgetting jammed while attempting to travel through a portion of adocument analysis area of an automated teller machine;

FIG. 13 is a side schematic block diagram of a sequence of a belt sideplaten configured for movement within a document analysis area of anautomated teller machine;

FIG. 14 is a side schematic block diagram of a sequence of a belt sideplaten configured for movement within a document analysis area of anautomated teller machine;

FIG. 15 is a side schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a beltside platen and a cartridge side platen utilized with an automatedteller machine to virtually eliminate jamming;

FIG. 16 is a side schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a beltside platen and a cartridge side platen utilized with an automatedteller machine to virtually eliminate jamming;

FIG. 17 is a side schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a beltside platen and a cartridge side platen utilized with an automatedteller machine to virtually eliminate jamming;

FIG. 18 is a side schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a beltside platen and a cartridge side platen utilized with an automatedteller machine to virtually eliminate jamming;

FIG. 19 is a side schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a beltside platen and a cartridge side platen utilized with an automatedteller machine to virtually eliminate jamming;

FIG. 20 is a side schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a beltside platen and a cartridge side platen utilized with an automatedteller machine to virtually eliminate jamming;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a belt side platen for use with anautomated teller machine according to one embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a front view of the belt side platen of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a back view of the belt side platen of FIG. 21;

FIG. 24 is a first side view of the belt side platen of FIG. 21;

FIG. 25 is a second side view of the belt side platen of FIG. 21;

FIG. 26 is a top view of the belt side platen of FIG. 21; and

FIG. 27 is a bottom view of the belt side platen of FIG. 21.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the innovation relate to methods and systems for reducinga number of jams that can occur in an automated teller machine with theemployment of a moveable platen that increases a width of a channel fordocuments. A document analysis area can receive a document via a firsttransport path, wherein the document analysis area can include a channelin which the document travels to enable at least one scan component tocapture an image of the document. The channel is created by one or moreplaten. The one or more platen can be movable to increase the width ofthe channel so as to allow documents to pass-through the documentanalysis area without causing a jam or error for the automated tellermachine. Jams and errors require maintenance on the automated tellermachine and renders the machine inoperable until the jam is removedwhich can be costly in both money loss from the automated teller machinebeing inoperable, but also costs to have service performed.

Many countries enforce standards for a quality of documents, oftenreferred to as “fit level of note” or “fit level of document”. However,each country maintains a different minimum threshold for the fit levelof a note or document. Still further, there are automated tellermachines that recycle documents (e.g., deposited documents are used tobe dispensed in response to future transactions). The varying fit levelof a document and the possible use of recycling documents often lead toautomated teller machines handling notes or documents varying inquality, integrity, and the like. The various quality and integrity ofdocuments can be difficult to account for when a document is transportedwithin an automated teller machine. Often compounding this problem is amisfeed of documents during transport, wherein the misfeed includespulling more than one document at-a-time for transport. For example, themisfeed can be caused by a mechanical failure or caused by the low fitlevel of the document. Conventional systems and methods for automatedteller machines jam due to a lower quality document or a misfeed. Thesubject innovation solves this problem by virtually eliminating jamsand, in particular, virtually eliminating jams that can occur at adocument analysis area where a portion of the document is scanned (e.g.,an image of the document is captured, a video of the document iscaptured, among others). For example, controlled experiments by theinventors of this subject innovation have illustrated that conventionalautomated teller machines without the subject innovation yield a jam of1 out of 6,000 documents. Yet, by employment of techniques of thissubject innovation, a jam occurrence in the document scanning area isreduced to 1 out of 130,000 documents.

With reference to the drawings, like reference numerals designateidentical or corresponding parts throughout the several views. However,the inclusion of like elements in different views does not mean a givenembodiment necessarily includes such elements or that all embodiments ofthe invention include such elements.

The term “document” as used herein can be defined as currency, checks,bills, receipts, tickets, paper, and/or other types of documents. Adocument can be comprised of a material such as, but not limited to,paper, paper with ink (e.g., black, color, etc.), recycled paper,thermal paper, impact paper, 2-ply paper, inkjet paper, among others. Inan embodiment, a document can have a height of approximately 60 mm to 85mm, a length of approximately 120 mm to 185 mm, and a thickness ofapproximately 0.05 mm to approximately 0.2 mm.

The term “document analysis area” as used herein can be defined as alocation in an automated teller machine where a document is analyzed forauthenticity, quality, denomination, number of document(s), and thelike. The analysis can be performed by capturing an image of a portionof the document, capturing and evaluating an indicia on the document,capturing a video of the portion of the document, scanning a serialnumber, identifying an indicia on the document, and/or a combinationthereof.

The term “spring mechanism” as used herein can be defined as a devicethat can apply a force in one or more directions, wherein the force canbe a compression or an expansion of the device.

The term “component” or “controller” as used herein can be defined as aportion of hardware, a portion of software, a portion of logic, or acombination thereof. A portion of hardware can include at least aprocessor and a portion of memory, wherein the memory includes aninstruction to execute.

Preliminarily, it should be noted that certain terms used herein, suchas “upper”, “lower”, “middle”, “upward”, “downward”, “top”, “bottom”,“front”, “back”, “side”, and the like, are used to facilitate thedescription of the embodiment(s) illustrated in the accompanyingfigures. Unless otherwise specified or made apparent by the context ofthe discussion, such terms should be interpreted as intended merely tofacilitate the description of the features under discussion. Such termsare not intended as a limitation on the orientation in which componentsexist or may be used.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1-4, there isillustrated an automated banking machine 10 (also referred herein as“automated teller machine 10,” “machine 10,” “cash dispensing machine,”or “ATM 10”) of a first exemplary embodiment. ATM 10 includes a tophousing 12 having side walls 14 and 16, and top wall 18. Housing 12encloses an interior area indicated at 20. Housing 12 has a frontopening 22. In this exemplary embodiment, the rear of housing 12 isclosed by a rear wall. However, in other embodiments, the rear ofhousing 12 may be accessible through an access door or similar device.Top housing 12 is used to house certain banking machine components suchas, but not limited to, input devices, output devices, among others.

Generally, ATM 10 can be an automated device that can dispensedocuments, receive documents, communicate with a financial institution,communicate with a user, among others. It is to be appreciated andunderstood that ATM 10 can be a stand-alone unit (as depicted), partlyincorporated into a structure (e.g., interior wall, exterior wall,structure associated with a drive-in access system, structure associatedwith a walk-up system, and the like), among others.

With reference to FIG. 3, the input devices can include a card readerschematically indicated at 24. Card reader 24 can be operative to read acustomer's card which includes data thereon. For example, the indicia onthe card can correspond to information about the customer and/orinformation about a customer's financial account, such as, but notlimited to, the customer's account number. In some embodiments, the cardreader 24 can be a card reader adapted for reading at least one ofmagnetic stripe cards, RFID cards (e.g., cards that can be readwirelessly). Exemplary embodiments may include features of the typediscussed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,118,031, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

Another input device in the exemplary embodiment can include input keys26. Input keys 26 can be arranged in a keypad or keyboard. Input keys 26may alternately or in addition include function keys or other types ofdevices for receiving manual inputs. It should be understood that invarious embodiments other types of input devices may be used such asbiometric readers, speech or voice recognition devices, inductance typereaders, IR type readers, touchscreens, and other devices capable ofcommunicating with a person, article or computing device, radiofrequency type readers and other types of devices which are capable ofreceiving information that identifies a customer and/or their account.

The exemplary embodiment of machine 10 also includes output devicesproviding outputs to the customer. In the exemplary embodiment, machine10 includes a display 28, wherein display 28 can be, but is not limitedto being, an LCD, CRT and/or other type display that is capable ofproviding visible indicia to a customer. In other embodiments, outputdevices can include devices such as audio speakers, RF transmitters, IRtransmitters or other types of devices that are capable of providingoutputs which may be perceived by a user either directly or through useof a computing device, article, or machine. It should be understood thatembodiments can also include combined input and output devices such as atouch screen display, which is capable of providing outputs to a user aswell as receiving inputs.

The exemplary embodiment of the automated banking machine 10 alsoincludes a receipt printer schematically indicated at 30. The receiptprinter is operative to print receipts for users reflecting transactionsconducted at the machine. Embodiments can also include other types ofprinting mechanisms such as statement printer mechanisms, ticketprinting mechanisms, check printing mechanisms and other devices thatoperate to apply indicia to media in the course of performingtransactions carried out with the machine 10.

Automated banking machine 10 further includes one or more processorsschematically indicated at 33. Processor 33, alternately referred to asa computer or a controller, is in operative connection with at least onememory or data store which is schematically indicated at 34. Theprocessor 33 is operative to carry out programmed instructions toachieve operation of the machine in accomplishing transactions. Theprocessor 33 is in operative connection with a plurality of thetransaction function devices included in the machine.

The exemplary embodiment includes at least one communications device 36.The communications device 36 can be one or more of a plurality of typesof devices that enable the machine 10 to communicate with other systemsand devices for purposes of carrying out transactions. For example,communications device 36 can include a modem for communicating messagesover a data line or wireless network, with one or more other computersthat operate to transfer data representative of the transfer of funds inresponse to transactions conducted at the machine 10. Alternately, thecommunications device 36 can include various types of networkinterfaces, line drivers or other devices suitable to enablecommunication between the machine 10 and other computers and systems.Exemplary embodiments may include features like those disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 7,266,526, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference.

ATM 10 can further include a safe or chest 40 enclosing a secure area42. Secure area 42 is used in the exemplary embodiment to house criticalcomponents and valuable documents. Specifically in the exemplaryembodiment, secure area 42 is used for housing currency, currencydispensers, currency stackers, and other banking machine components. Forpurposes of this disclosure a cash dispenser shall include any mechanismthat makes currency stored within the machine accessible from outsidethe machine. Cash dispensers may include features of the type disclosedin U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,261,236; 7,240,829; 7,114,006; 7,140,607 and6,945,526, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein byreference.

Chest 40 includes a chest housing 44 including a top wall 46 having anupper surface 48 outside of the secure area 42. Top housing 12 issupported on the chest 40 such that the secure area 42 is generallybelow the interior area 20.

Chest 40 further includes a chest door 50 that is moveably mounted insupporting connection with the housing 12. Chest door 50 can be in aclosed position or in an open position and can be generally closed tosecure the contents of the chest 40. In other embodiments the chestopening and door may have other configurations. In the exemplaryembodiment, chest door 50 can include a first device openingtherethrough and cooperates with mechanisms inside and outside the chestfor passing currency or other items between a customer and deviceslocated inside the chest 40.

Referring again to FIG. 3, machine 10 also includes a plurality ofsensing devices for sensing various conditions in the machine. Thesevarious sensing devices are represented schematically by component 58for simplicity and to facilitate understanding. It should be understoodthat a plurality of sensing devices is provided in the machine forsensing and indicating to the processor 33 the status of devices withinthe machine 10.

Exemplary automated banking machine 10 further includes a plurality ofactuators schematically indicated at 60 and 62 respectively. Theactuators may comprise a plurality of devices such as motors, solenoids,cylinders, rotary actuators and other types of devices that are operatedresponsive to the processor 33. It should be understood that numerouscomponents within the automated banking machine are operated byactuators positioned in operative connection therewith. Actuators 60 and62 are shown to schematically represent such actuators in the machineand to facilitate understanding.

Machine 10 further comprises at least one dispenser mechanism 64 housedin secure area 42. The dispensing mechanism 64 is operatively responsiveto the processor 33 to pick documents from a stack of documents 66housed in one or more canisters which may be alternatively referred toherein as cassettes 68 or cartridges 68. The dispenser mechanism 64 caninclude a first document delivery system 100 that transports thedocument from the cartridge 68 to a document analysis area 102 via afirst transport path 104. After being analyzed by the document analysisarea 102 or passing through the document analysis area 102, the documentcan be collected. The picked documents may be arranged and collected byan accumulator mechanism 70 for presentation through a deliverymechanism 74 which operates to transport document(s) to a customer via asecond document delivery system 106 or to a retract/reject bin 108(discussed in more detail below) via the second document delivery system106.

When chest door 50 is in the closed position, at least an end portion ofa delivery mechanism 74 extends through first opening 56 in the chestdoor 50. In response to operation of the processor 33, when a desirednumber of document(s) have been collected in a stack, the stack is movedthrough delivery mechanism 74, wherein delivery mechanism 74 can includean opening 110.

As the sheets are moved through delivery mechanism 74 toward the firstopening 56, the controller 32 operates a suitable actuating device tooperate a gate 78 so as to enable the stack of document(s) to passoutward through the opening 56. As a result, the user is enabled toreceive the documents from the machine 10. After a user is sensed ashaving removed the stack from the opening, the controller 32 can operateto close the gate 78 so as to minimize the risk of tampering with themachine 10.

With reference to FIG. 2, in this exemplary embodiment, ATM 10 furtherincludes a rollout tray 80. Rollout tray 80 is moveably mounted insupporting connection with slides 84. The slides 84 enable movement ofthe rollout tray 80 between the extended position shown in FIG. 2 and aretracted position within the interior area 20 of the top housing 12.Rollout tray 80 in the exemplary embodiment may be similar to that shownin U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,616, the disclosure of which is incorporated byreference as if fully rewritten herein.

Rollout tray 80 may have several upper banking machine componentssupported thereon including card reader 24, input keys 26, display 28,receipt printer 30, and other components as appropriate for theparticular ATM 10.

This exemplary embodiment further includes an upper fascia 86 insupporting connection with rollout tray 80. The upper fascia 86 mayinclude user interface openings such as a card opening 88 through whicha customer operating the machine 10 may insert a credit, debit or othercard, or a receipt delivery slot 90 through which printed transactionreceipts may be delivered to the customer. Rollout tray 80 moveablysupports upper fascia 86 relative to the top housing 12 so that upperfascia 86 is movable between a first position covering the front openingand a second position in which the upper fascia is disposed from thefront opening 22.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, in the operative condition of ATM 10, therollout tray 80 is retracted into the interior area 20 of the housing12. Upper fascia 86 operates to close front opening 22 and provide anattractive appearance for ATM 10, while allowing a customer to inputinformation and receive outputs from ATM 10.

Turning to FIG. 4, the document analysis area 102 is illustrated. Thedocument analysis area 102 is illustrated in FIG. 4 from across-sectional side view (perspective from the sidewall 16 of machine10). The cartridge(s) 68 can be inserted from a front of the machine 10indicated at 92 in which the front 92 is opposite to a rear of themachine 10 indicated at 94. Such a load configuration can be referred toas a “front load” automated teller machine 10. It is to be appreciatedand understood that the cartridge(s) 68 can be inserted from a rear ofthe machine 10 indicated at 94. Such a load configuration can bereferred to as a “rear load” automated teller machine 10. The firstdocument delivery system 100 can transport, via the first transport path104, a document from at least one cartridge 68 to the document analysisarea 102. The document analysis area 102 can capture an image of thedocument. Based on one or more parameters of the machine 10, thedocument can be transported from the document analysis area 102 toeither a retract/reject bin 108 via a second transport path 112 or theopening 110 of the machine 10 via a third transport path 114. By way ofexample, the parameter can be at least one of a detection of a misfeed,detection of more than one document, detection of a counterfeitdocument, an error or a fault of the machine 10, a non-capturing of animage of the document, among others.

In another example, the second document delivery system 106 cantransport one or more documents from the opening 110 to theretract/reject bin 108 via at least one of the second transport path112, the third transport path 114, or a fourth transport path. It is tobe appreciated that the second document delivery system 106 cantransport one or more documents from the opening 110 to theretract/reject bin 108 after a duration of time passes in which acustomer does not remove the one or more documents from the opening 110.The retract/reject bin 108 is more fully described in U.S. Pat. No.7,121,461, filed on Oct. 17, 2006 and is incorporated herein byreference. For instance, the retract/reject bin can include a firstsection that receives documents that are rejected and a second sectionthat receives documents that are retracted.

It is to be appreciated that the first document delivery system 100, thesecond document delivery system 106, and/or additional document deliverysystems can include various components, mechanical devices, andelectronics such as, but not limited to, feed rollers, belt drives,axles, shafts, drive shafts, platen, rollers, plates, gears, and thelike. It is to be understood that various techniques can be employed totransport the document from a first location to a second location eitherwithin the machine 10 or to an exterior of the machine 10. Moreover, itis to be appreciated that two or more document delivery systems can beemployed with the subject innovation and/or three or more transportpaths can be employed with the subject innovation. Still further, thesubject innovation is intended to include the machine 10 that utilizesone document delivery system and/or one transport path.

Turning to FIG. 5, the document analysis area 102 is illustrated with across-sectional view. It is to be appreciated that although documentanalysis 102 is depicted such that a travel path of the document isperpendicular in comparison to a ground level of where the machine 10 islocated, any suitable travel direction or travel path orientation of thedocument can be employed with the subject innovation. By way of exampleand not limitation, the travel path orientation can be at least one ofthe following in comparison to the ground level of the machine 10,parallel, perpendicular, angled (e.g., angled at X degrees where X is aninteger between 0 and 360 degrees or X is an integer between 0 and −360degrees), a combination thereof, and the like. Moreover, the travel pathof the document can be straight, curved, or a combination thereof.

The document analysis area 102 is a location within the automated tellermachine 10 that can capture an image of a portion or an area of thedocument. The first document delivery system 100 can transport adocument from the cartridge 68 to the document analysis area 102 and thesecond document delivery system 106 can transport the document from thedocument analysis area 102 to another location (e.g., retract/reject bin108, opening 110, among others). In order to capture an image of thedocument, an unobstructed line of sight of the document is necessarywhich translates into the document analysis area being free of feederrolls, belts, and/or any other components used with a document deliverysystem. By way of example and not limitation, the document analysis area102 can include one or more scan components, positioned in an area thathas an unobstructed line of sight, that are configured to capture animage of the document or a portion of the document.

The document analysis area 102 can include a cartridge side platen 150and a belt side platen 152 opposite thereof (referred to collectively as“platens”). The cartridge side platen 150 and the belt side platen 152can be, for example, plates that press or hold the document while beingtransported through the document analysis area 102. At least one of thecartridge side platen 150 or the belt side platen 152 can be moveable ina direction substantially perpendicular in comparison to the travel pathof the document (discussed in more detail below). It is to beappreciated that the subject innovation can be configured to andutilized with a location within the machine 10 that transports adocument in which the location does not have document delivery system.Thus, the subject innovation is not limited to employing the moveableone or more platen in the document analysis area 102 and the moveableone or more platen can be employed in various locations throughout atransportation of one or more documents.

The cartridge side platen 150 and the belt side platen 152 arepositioned to create a channel 154 in which a document D travelsthrough. The channel 154 can include an entrance 156 and an exit 158opposite thereto, wherein the document D enters the entrance 156 fromthe first transport path 104. The channel 154 can include a width sizedto receive the document D. By way of example and not limitation, thechannel 154 can include a width of approximately 0.9 mm to 2.9 mm. In aparticular non-limiting embodiment, the width of the channel 154 can beapproximately 1.9 mm.

The belt side platen 152 and/or the cartridge side platen 150 can bemoveable such that at least one of the following is increased in width:the channel 154; the entrance 156; the exit 158; a portion of the firstdocument delivery system 100; a portion of the second document deliverysystem 106; and/or a combination thereof.

As mentioned above, the document D can be transported to the documentanalysis area 102 from the cartridge 68 via the first document deliverysystem 100, which can, for example, include at least one feed roller 160and a belt 162. The first document delivery system 100 can include oneor more sets of feed rollers and belts. FIG. 5 illustrates the firstdocument delivery system 100 having a single feed roller and belt but itis to be appreciated that any suitable number of feed rollers and/orbelts can be employed with the subject innovation. In still anotherembodiment, the first document delivery system 100 can include a set offeed rollers and belts on each side of the first transport path 104 eventhough a single feed roller and belt is illustrated on a single side ofthe machine 10.

The first transport path 104 is created by at least the belt 162 and asidewall 164. In a particular embodiment, the sidewall 164 can be amaterial such as, but not limited to, a plastic, a polymer, a metal, asteel, an aluminum, a low coefficient of friction material, amongothers. It is to be appreciated that the belt 162 can be flexible,rigid, and the like. In the example of the belt 162 being flexible, thedocument(s) can have a thickness that is greater than the width of theentrance 156 of the channel 154 as well as greater than a width of anarea 190 between the cartridge side platen 150 and the belt side platen152, wherein the area 190 is at an angle 192 of the belt side platen152.

The platens (e.g., platens referring to cartridge side platen 150 and/orbelt side platen 152) can have integrated therein one or more scancomponents that can be configured to capture an image of the document D.The document analysis area 102 is depicted as having two scan componentsto capture images of the document but it is to be appreciated that thedocument analysis area 102 can utilize one or more scan components at alocation that allows at least one image of the document to be captured.

The cartridge side platen 150 can include a cartridge side scancomponent 166 that is configured to capture an image of a first side ofthe document D. Moreover, the belt side platen 152 can include a beltside scan component 168 that is configured to capture an image of asecond side of the document D, wherein the first side is opposite thesecond side. In an example, the cartridge side scan component 166 andthe belt side scan component 168 can be offset to one another, parallelto one another, overlapping to one another, and the like. By way ofexample and not limitation, the cartridge side scan component 166 can beintegrated into location 170 and the belt side scan component 168 can beintegrated into location 172 or the cartridge side scan component 166can be integrated into location 174 and the belt side scan component 168can be integrated into location 176. By way of example and notlimitation, the cartridge side scan component 166 can be integrated intolocation 170 and the belt side scan component 168 can be integrated intolocation 176 or the cartridge side scan component 166 can be integratedinto location 174 and the belt side scan component 168 can be integratedinto location 172. It is to be appreciated and understood that theheight of the location 170 and 174 can be approximately 35 mm to 45 mm.

The platens (e.g., cartridge side platen 150 and/or belt side platen152) can be moveable to increase the width of the channel 154 or aportion of the channel 154 in order to reduce a number of jams that canoccur in the machine 10. The platens can be moveable in a direction thatis substantially parallel to a travel direction of the document withinthe first transport path 104 or a location between the first transportpath 104 and the second document delivery system 106. By employing amoveable platen or moveable platens, the width of the entrance 156 ofthe channel 154 is increased to allow a larger thickness of the documentD to pass through the document analysis area 102. For example, the oneor more movable platens can allow the width of the entrance 156 of thechannel 154 increase approximately 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm.

Conventionally, the document analysis area 102 included a channel with afixed width and jams would occur due to the document thickness beinggreater than the thickness of the channel. For example, the thickness ofthe document D can be increased to a size larger than the width of thechannel 154 due to a misfeed (e.g., more than one document together,misalignment, etc.), a deteriorated document (e.g., wrinkled, folded,worn out, etc.), a foreign material on the document D, among others.

In a non-limiting embodiment of the subject innovation, the belt sideplaten 152 can be moveable to increase the width of the channel 154 atthe entrance 156 of the document analysis area 102. The belt side platen152 can be moveable with, for example, a spring mechanism 178 thatapplies a first force to maintain or bias a position of the belt sideplaten 152. When a document having an increased thickness (in comparisonto the width of the entrance 156) approaches the entrance 156, a secondforce due to the increased thickness can be greater than the first forceof the spring mechanism 178 which allows the belt side platen 152 tomove. This freedom of movement allows the document to be received by thedocument analysis area 102 rather than causing a jam. The springmechanism 178 can be, but is not limited to being, a torsion spring, atension spring, a coil spring, a flat spring, a leaf spring, a Bellvillewasher, an elastomeric band, or an elastomeric pad, among others. Thespring mechanism 178 can provide compression, expansion, and/or a forcein one or more directions. For example, the spring mechanism 178 can bea shape and size that provides a first force to maintain the position ofthe belt side platen 152 in which a second force from a misfeed or adeteriorated document against the belt side platen 152 is greater thanthe first force to allow movement thereof.

In an embodiment, the belt side platen 152 can be moveable (See FIGS.13, 14, and 19). In another embodiment, the cartridge side platen 150can be moveable (See FIGS. 15 and 18). In still another embodiment, thecartridge side platen 150 and the belt side platen 152 can be moveable(See FIGS. 16, 17, and 20).

The cartridge side platen 150 and/or the belt side platen 152 can becoupled, removably coupled, and/or incorporated into the machine 10,and/or incorporated into a portion of the machine 10, coupled to ahousing of the machine 10, and/or a combination thereof. In anotherembodiment, the platens can be integrated or incorporated into themachine 10, incorporated into a portion of the machine 10, and/orincorporated into a housing of the machine 10. By way of example and notlimitation, the platens can be integrated or incorporated into a portionof the sidewall 164, which can be coupled to the machine 10. It is to beappreciated that the platens can be affixed to the machine 10 and one ormore of the platens can be moveable at a location in which the one ormore platens are affixed to the machine 10 or a housing of the machine10.

In a particular embodiment, the cartridge side platen 150 can include atleast one feed roller that is rotatable about a shaft, wherein the shaftis affixed to the machine 10 at each end of the shaft or a housing ofthe machine 10 at each end of the shaft. In this embodiment, the shaftcan be cylindrical in shape having a first end and a second end oppositethereto. The shaft can be positioned through one or more apertures onthe platen or the shaft can be coupled to the platen. By way of exampleand not limitation, at least one of the first end or the second end ofthe shaft can be affixed to the machine 10 or a housing of the machine10, which indirectly affixes the platen to the machine 10.

The following is a description of a particular embodiment of the subjectinnovation and is not to be limiting. The cartridge side platen 150 caninclude an upper set of feed rollers and a lower set of feed rollers,wherein the upper set of feed rollers are part of the second documentdelivery system 106 that transports the document D from the documentanalysis area 102 and the lower set of feed rollers are part of thefirst document delivery system 100 that transport the document D fromthe cartridge 68 to the document analysis area 102. It is to beappreciated that one or more belts can be utilized with the firstdocument delivery system 100 and/or the second document delivery system106. Moreover, the upper set of feed rollers can be separated by adistance from the lower set of feed rollers, wherein within the distanceone or more scan components can reside or can be positioned. The upperset of feed rollers can rotate about an upper shaft that is coupled tothe machine 10 at a first end of the upper shaft and a second end of theupper shaft, wherein the first end is opposite the second end. The lowerset of feed rollers can rotate about a lower shaft that is coupled tothe machine 10 at a first end of the lower shaft and a second end of thelower shaft, wherein the first end is opposite the second end. Thecartridge side platen 150 can be moveable about at least one of thefirst end of the upper shaft, the second end of the upper shaft, thefirst end of the lower shaft, the second end of the lower shaft, or acombination thereof.

The following is a description of a particular embodiment of the subjectinnovation and is not to be limiting. The belt side platen 152 caninclude an upper set of feed rollers and a lower set of feed rollers(e.g., feed roller 160 for example), wherein the upper set of feedrollers are part of the second document delivery system 106 thattransports the document D from the document analysis area 102 and thelower set of feed rollers are part of the first document delivery system100 that transport the document D from the cartridge 68 to the documentanalysis area 102. It is to be appreciated that one or more belts can beutilized with the first document delivery system 100 (e.g., belt 162 forexample) and/or the second document delivery system 106. Moreover, theupper set of feed rollers can be separated by a distance from the lowerset of feed rollers, wherein within the distance one or more scancomponents can reside or can be positioned. The upper set of feedrollers can rotate about an upper shaft that is coupled to the machineat a first end of the upper shaft and a second end of the upper shaft,wherein the first end is opposite the second end. The lower set of feedrollers can rotate about a lower shaft that is coupled to the machine ata first end of the lower shaft and a second end of the lower shaft,wherein the first end is opposite the second end. The belt side platen152 can be moveable about at least one of the first end of the uppershaft, the second end of the upper shaft, the first end of the lowershaft, the second end of the lower shaft, or a combination thereof.

In an embodiment, a movement of the platen can be recorded forevaluation of the machine 10. For instance, a movement of the platen canindicate a document is deteriorated or can indicate a misfeed related tothe document delivery system 100. A sensor can be utilized to detect amovement of the moveable platen, which can correspond to the indicationof a misfeed or a document that is deteriorated. In another embodiment,a sensor can detect a position of the document and compare such image toa “master image” to determine whether the document is in a positionappropriate for the document analysis area 102. Upon detection via thesensor, the machine 10 can perform an action such as, but not limitedto, communicating a signal representative of the detection, storing data(e.g., date, time, transaction reference, account number used during thetransaction when the movement was recorded, customer information, imagedata captured, serial number of document, and the like) in a logcorresponding to the movement of the moveable platen, transporting thedocument to the retract/reject bin 108, performing a scan on thedocument, not performing a scan on the document, initiating anotification (e.g., alarm, electronic message, error code, amongothers), incrementing a counter, decrementing a counter, and/or acombination thereof. In another embodiment, the machine 10 can include athreshold for a number of detections from the sensor to indicate atleast one of a replacement of documents in the cartridge 68, amaintenance of the documents or cartridge, a service to theretract/reject bin 108, and the like. In still another embodiment, themachine 10 can include a threshold for a number of detections from thesensor to indicate a maintenance or a service on the machine 10.

FIGS. 6-9 illustrate schematic block diagrams of an automated tellermachine from a side cross-sectional view. In particular, FIG. 6 is across-sectional schematic block diagram view of an automated tellermachine illustrating various banking machine components with theperspective being from the sidewall 16 of machine 10. FIGS. 7-9 arecross-sectional schematic block diagram views of a top portion of anautomated teller machine illustrating various banking machinecomponents, wherein the perspective is from the sidewall 14 of machine10.

Turning to FIGS. 10-20, the document analysis area 102 is partlyillustrated with a cross-sectional view. FIG. 10 illustrates across-sectional view of a sequence (e.g., first in time starting on theleft side of the FIG. 10) the document analysis area 102 in which thedocument D travels through the document analysis area 102 without a jam,a misfeed, or error. The document travels (e.g., from the first documentdelivery system 100) to the entrance 156 of the channel 154 and passesthrough the channel 154 (e.g., to the second document delivery system106) while an image of the document is captured at the document analysisarea 102.

FIG. 11 illustrates a sequence (e.g., first in time starting on the leftside of the FIG. 11) of an example of a jam of the document D in whichmaintenance or service is required to remove the jammed document. Thedocument D travels to the entrance 156 but due to an increased thicknessof the document D, the thickness of the document D is greater than thewidth of the entrance 156 for the channel 154 within the documentanalysis area 102. Thus, the document D is too thick to travel throughthe entrance 156 and/or the channel 154, which causes the document D tojam or clog the first transport path 104.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example of a misfeed of documents D in whichmaintenance or service is required to remove the misfed documents. Thedocuments D travel to the entrance 156 but due to an increased thicknesssince there are more than one document D, the thickness of the documentsD are greater than the width of the entrance 156 for the channel 154within the document analysis area 102. Thus, the documents D are toothick to travel through the entrance 154 and/or the channel 156, whichcauses the documents D to jam the machine 10.

FIG. 13 illustrates a sequence (e.g., first in time starting on the leftside of the FIG. 13) of the document analysis area 102 utilizingmoveable belt side platen 152 to avoid occurrence of a jam due to adeteriorated document, wherein the deterioration increases the thicknessof the document. It is to be appreciated that the description of thebelt side platen 152 and mobility related thereto can be applied to thecartridge side platen 150. The document is delivered to the entrance ofthe channel of the document analysis area 102 via the first documentdelivery system 100. Based on the thickness of the document D beinglarger than the width of the entrance 156 of the channel 154, a jam ormisfeed can occur using conventional non-moveable platens. However asdescribed in the subject innovation, the belt side platen 152 can bemoveable with the spring mechanism 178. As illustrated, the movement canbe substantially perpendicular to the first transport path 104 of thedocument D (and away from the first transport path) which allows thewidth of the entrance 156 or the channel 154 to increase, allowing thedocument to pass into the channel 154 without jam or misfeed. In anotherembodiment, the movement of the platen can have a curved trajectory,straight trajectory, among others. Once a portion of the document passesinto the channel 154 and the document passes the entrance 156, the beltside platen 152 can move toward the first transport path 104 (e.g.,return to the first position). Similarly, FIG. 14 illustrates a sequencein which the belt side platen 152 moves to avoid a jam due to a misfeedin which more than one document travels to the document analysis area102.

FIGS. 15-20 illustrate the spring mechanism or spring mechanisms thatcan be utilized with the document analysis area 102 and in particularthe cartridge side platen 150 and/or the belt side platen 152. It is tobe appreciated that each platen can include one or more shafts to whichone or more feed rollers or belts rotate about. By way of example andnot limitation, there can be an upper shaft and a lower shaft on eachplaten as illustrated in FIGS. 15-20. One or more spring mechanisms canbe positioned on the upper shaft or lower shaft for one or more platen.In a non-limiting embodiment, the spring mechanism or mechanisms can beon ends of the shaft (e.g., lower shaft, upper shaft, and/or acombination thereof), a position between the ends of the shaft, on theplaten, or a combination thereof.

FIG. 15 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the document analysis area102 (and specifically the cartridge side platen 150 and the belt sideplaten 152) in which the spring mechanism 178 is on an upper shaft ofthe cartridge side platen 150.

FIG. 16 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the document analysis area102 (and specifically the cartridge side platen 150 and the belt sideplaten 152) in which the spring mechanism 178 is on an upper shaft ofthe cartridge side platen 150 and a spring mechanism 180 is on an uppershaft of the belt side platen 152.

FIG. 17 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the document analysis area102 (and specifically the cartridge side platen 150 and the belt sideplaten 152) in which the spring mechanism 178 is on an upper shaft ofthe cartridge side platen 150, the spring mechanism 180 is on an uppershaft of the belt side platen 152, a spring mechanism 182 is on a lowershaft of the cartridge side platen 150, and a spring mechanism 184 is ona lower shaft of the belt side platen 152.

FIG. 18 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the document analysis area102 (and specifically the cartridge side platen 150 and the belt sideplaten 152) in which the spring mechanism 178 is on a lower shaft of thecartridge side platen 150.

FIG. 19 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the document analysis area102 (and specifically the cartridge side platen 150 and the belt sideplaten 152) in which the spring mechanism 178 is on a lower shaft of thebelt side platen 152.

FIG. 20 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the document analysis area102 (and specifically the cartridge side platen 150 and the belt sideplaten 152) in which the spring mechanism 178 is on the lower shaft ofthe cartridge side platen 150 and the spring mechanism 180 is on thelower shaft of the belt side platen 152.

As best shown in FIGS. 21-27, the belt side platen 152 is formed from agenerally planar substrate 210. The substrate 210 maybe composed ofmetal, plastic or any other material suitable to be formed into the beltside platen 152 and function within the ATM 10. The substrate 210including an upper portion 212 and lower portion 214. The lower portion214 slopes at an angle relative to the upper portion 212. The lowerportion 214 has a lower edge 216 having a central edge section 218 thatextends generally laterally along the lower edge 216. The lower edge 216also has first and second end edge sections 220 and 222 tapering fromthe central edge 218 toward the upper portion 212 opposite one another.

The edge sections 220 and 222 each include an optional flange 224 and226 extending from the edge section toward a rear face 228 of the beltside platen 152.

The substrate 210 defines a generally longitudinally extending channel230 between the upper portion 212 and the lower portion 214. The channel230 includes optional tabs 232 capable of flexing into the channel toengage a module inserted into the channel 230, such as sensors orimagers. The tabs 232 may be utilized to assist in retaining suchmodules within the channel 230 or to assist in the removal of suchmodules from the channel 230.

The belt side platen 152 further includes an optional retaining arm 234extending from the substrate 210 that may assist in retaining a moduledisposed with the channel 230.

The substrate 210 defines a plurality of longitudinally extendingapertures 236 in the lower portion 214 for the passage of belts 162 forthe transport of documents.

The belt side platen 152 further includes a pair of bearing surfaces 238attached to the substrate 210 for engagement with a bearing member (notshown) for at least partial rotation of the platen about an axis 1through the bearing surfaces 238. The bearing surfaces 138 are attachedto the upper portion 212.

The aforementioned systems, devices, applications, modules, components,(e.g., controller, processor, first document delivery system 100, seconddocument delivery system 106, document analysis area 102, cartridge sideplaten 150, belt side platen 152, among others), and the like have beendescribed with respect to interaction between several components and/orelements. It should be appreciated that such devices and elements caninclude those elements or sub-elements specified therein, some of thespecified elements or sub-elements, and/or additional elements. Furtheryet, one or more elements and/or sub-elements may be combined into asingle component to provide aggregate functionality. The elements mayalso interact with one or more other elements not specifically describedherein.

As used herein, the terms “component,” “module,” and “system,” as wellas forms thereof are intended to refer to a computer-related entity,either hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, orsoftware in execution. For example, a component may be, but is notlimited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor, anobject, an instance, an executable, a thread of execution, a program,and/or a computer. By way of illustration, both an application runningon a computer and the computer can be a component. One or morecomponents may reside within a process and/or thread of execution and acomponent may be localized on one computer and/or distributed betweentwo or more computers.

It is to be appreciated that an “application” can include one or moremodules that perform one or more functionalities via instructions storedon a memory executed by a processor. Moreover, although a module andfunctionality may be described as a single module, it is to beappreciated that modules and respective functionalities can be combinedinto two or more modules. Additionally, one or more applications can beprovided to include the one or more modules described herein.

The word “exemplary” or various forms thereof are used herein to meanserving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or designdescribed herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed aspreferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Furthermore,examples are provided solely for purposes of clarity and understandingand are not meant to limit or restrict the claimed subject matter orrelevant portions of this disclosure in any manner. It is to beappreciated that a myriad of additional or alternate examples of varyingscope could have been presented, but have been omitted for purposes ofbrevity.

Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes,” “contains,” “has,”“having” or variations in form thereof are used in either the detaileddescription or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in amanner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpretedwhen employed as a transitional word in a claim.

In the specification and claims, reference will be made to a number ofterms that have the following meanings. The singular forms “a”, “an” and“the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise. Approximating language, as used herein throughout thespecification and claims, may be applied to modify a quantitativerepresentation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a changein the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a valuemodified by a term such as “about” is not to be limited to the precisevalue specified. In some instances, the approximating language maycorrespond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value.Moreover, unless specifically stated otherwise, a use of the terms“first,” “second,” etc., do not denote an order or importance, butrather the terms “first,” “second,” etc., are used to distinguish oneelement from another.

As used herein, the terms “may” and “may be” indicate a possibility ofan occurrence within a set of circumstances; a possession of a specifiedproperty, characteristic or function; and/or qualify another verb byexpressing one or more of an ability, capability, or possibilityassociated with the qualified verb. Accordingly, usage of “may” and “maybe” indicates that a modified term is apparently appropriate, capable,or suitable for an indicated capacity, function, or usage, while takinginto account that in some circumstances the modified term may sometimesnot be appropriate, capable, or suitable. For example, in somecircumstances an event or capacity can be expected, while in othercircumstances the event or capacity cannot occur—this distinction iscaptured by the terms “may” and “may be.”

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable one of ordinary skill in theart to practice the invention, including making and using devices orsystems and performing incorporated methods. The patentable scope of theinvention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples thatoccur to one of ordinary skill in the art. Such other examples areintended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structuralelements that do not differentiate from the literal language of theclaims, or if they include equivalent structural elements withinsubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An automated teller machine, comprising: acartridge that stores a document; a first document delivery system thattransports the document from the cartridge to a document analysis areavia a first transport path; a second document delivery system thattransports the document from the document analysis area; the documentanalysis area including: a cartridge side platen and a belt side platenopposite thereof positioned to create a channel for the document totravel through, the channel having an entrance and an exit oppositethereof, wherein the entrance has a width to receive the document,wherein the cartridge side platen and belt side platen include an upperportion and a lower portion, the lower portion sloping at an anglerelative to the upper portion, the lower portion having a lower edge anda central edge section that extends generally laterally along the loweredge, the lower edge further comprising a first and second end edgesections tapering from the central edge section toward the upper portionopposite one another, wherein the first and second end edge sections ofthe belt side platen further include a flange extending from the firstand second end edge sections toward a rear face of the belt side platen;a cartridge side scan component partly incorporated into the cartridgeside platen and a belt side scan component partly incorporated into thebelt side platen, wherein the scan components are inserted into agenerally longitudinally extending channel between the upper portion andthe lower portion of the platen; the cartridge side scan component isconfigured to capture an image of a first side of the document; the beltside scan component is configured to capture an image of a second sideopposite the first side of the document; and the belt side platenconfigured to be movable to increase the width of the entrance.
 2. Theautomated teller machine of claim 1, the first document delivery systemfurther comprising: a first set of feed rollers that drive a belt withinthe first transport path; a first shaft that couples the first set offeed rollers to a housing of the automated teller machine; and a springmechanism coupled to the first shaft to apply a force to bias the beltside platen to control the width of the entrance.
 3. The automatedteller machine of claim 2, wherein a force applied to the belt sideplaten from passage of a document having greater than a predeterminedthickness overcomes at least part of the force of the spring mechanismto move the belt side platen to increase the width of the entrance. 4.The automated teller machine of claim 3, wherein the document havinggreater than a predetermined thickness is due to at least one of a tearon a portion of the document, a wrinkle of the document, a fold on thedocument, an additional document overlaid on the document, a material onthe document, or a foreign substance on the document.
 5. The automatedteller machine of claim 2, wherein the spring mechanism is at least oneof a torsion spring, a tension spring, a coil spring, a flat spring, aleaf spring, a Bellville washer, an elastomeric band, or an elastomericpad.
 6. The automated teller machine of claim 1, the second documentdelivery system transports the document from the document analysis areato a bin via a second transport path or an opening of the automatedteller machine via a third transport path.
 7. The automated tellermachine of claim 1, the cartridge is configured to be mated into ahousing of the automated teller machine.
 8. The automated teller machineof claim 1, the first document delivery system configured to transportone or more documents from at least two or more of the cartridge, asecond cartridge, a third cartridge, or a fourth cartridge.
 9. Anautomated teller machine, comprising: a cartridge that stores adocument; a first document delivery system that transports the documentfrom the cartridge to a document analysis area via a first transportpath; a second document delivery system that transports the documentfrom the document analysis area to a bin via a second transport path oran opening of the automated teller machine via a third transport path;the document analysis area further includes: a cartridge side platen anda belt side platen opposite thereof positioned to create a channel forthe document to travel through, the channel having an entrance and anexit opposite thereof, wherein the entrance has a width to receive thedocument, wherein the cartridge side platen and belt side platen includean upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion sloping at anangle relative to the upper portion, the lower portion having a loweredge and a central edge section that extends generally laterally alongthe lower edge, the lower edge further comprising a first and second endedge sections tapering from the central edge section toward the upperportion opposite one another, wherein the first and second end edgesections of the belt side platen further include a flange extending fromthe first and second end edge sections toward a rear face of the beltside platen; a cartridge side scan component partly incorporated intothe cartridge side platen and a belt side scan component partlyincorporated into the belt side platen, wherein the scan components areinserted into a generally longitudinally extending channel between theupper portion and the lower portion of the platen; the cartridge sidescan component is configured to capture an image of a first side of thedocument; the belt side scan component is configured to capture an imageof a second side opposite the first side of the document; and at leastone of the cartridge side platen or the belt side platen configured tobe movable to increase the width of the entrance.
 10. An automatedteller machine, comprising: a cartridge that stores a document; a firstdocument delivery system that transports the document from the cartridgeto a document analysis area via a first transport path; a seconddocument delivery system that transports the document from the documentanalysis area to a bin via a second transport path or an opening of theautomated teller machine via a third transport path; the documentanalysis area further includes: a cartridge side platen and a belt sideplaten opposite thereof positioned to create a channel for the documentto travel through, the channel having an entrance and an exit oppositethereof, wherein the entrance has a width to receive the document,wherein the cartridge side platen and belt side platen include an upperportion and a lower portion, the lower portion sloping at an anglerelative to the upper portion, the lower portion having a lower edge anda central edge section that extends generally laterally along the loweredge, the lower edge further comprising a first and second end edgesections tapering from the central edge section toward the upper portionopposite one another, wherein the first and second end edge sections ofthe belt side platen further include a flange extending from the firstand second end edge sections toward a rear face of the belt side platen;a cartridge side scan component partly incorporated into the cartridgeside platen and a belt side scan component partly incorporated into thebelt side platen, wherein the scan components are inserted into agenerally longitudinally extending channel between the upper portion andthe lower portion of the platen; the cartridge side scan component isconfigured to capture an image of a first side of the document; the beltside scan component is configured to capture an image of a second sideopposite the first side of the document; and a spring mechanism coupledto the belt side platen that provides resistance to maintain a firstposition for the width of the channel, wherein an increase in athickness of the document applies a force to the belt side platen,wherein the force moves the belt side platen to a second position toincrease the width of the channel.